Conserve Your Mobile Data

Clever ways to reduce iPhone and android data usage

Avoid paying over-usage fees with these easy tricks.

LIMIT UPDATES Apps are thoughtful: they are constantly refreshing to give you the most recent information available. But that updating uses data, so if you don’t need up-to-the-second weather reports or stock quotes, turn auto-refresh off for select apps.

IOS Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.

ANDROID* Go to Settings > Data Usage. Scroll down to the appropriate app and choose Restrict App Background Data.

ALWAYS SEARCH WITH WI-FI

Your phone may automatically switch to using your mobile data when the Wi-Fi signal is weak – a handy feature, but not necessarily one you want to use all the time. You can stop your phone from making that switch.

IOS To disable, go to Settings > Cellular. Then turn off Wi‑Fi Assist.

ANDROID* Unlike the iPhone, this setting is not turned on automatically. If the Wi‑Fi signal is poor, you will be notified that you can turn it on. When you want to turn it off again, go to Settings > Wi-Fi > Advanced > Auto Network Switch/Smart Network Switch.

DISABLE DATA-SUCKING APPS

Another way to put your phone on a data diet is to turn off data for any apps you don’t use often so they’ll update only when you’re connected to Wi-Fi. For streaming services such as Spotify, Netflix and Pandora, download the music or show while you’re connected to Wi-Fi.

IOS Go to Settings > Cellular. Then under Use Cellular Data For, switch relevant apps to off.

ANDROID* Go to Settings > Data Usage. Scroll down to see apps sorted by how much data they use, and disable the ones that are high.

* Android phones’ settings may vary. Check the manufacturer’s website for specific instructions.